Every 2011 Kia Sportage recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Engine · NHTSA 19V101000
Feb 15, 2019Engine
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
- Risk
- A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.
Full recall details for 19V101000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V224000
Mar 31, 2017Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
- Risk
- Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Full recall details for 17V224000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 15V360000
Sep 6, 2015Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
- Risk
- Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.
Full recall details for 15V360000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 13V114000
Jan 4, 2013Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
- Problem
- Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Full recall details for 13V114000 →
2011 Kia Sportage complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sportage, reporting 7 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries. Kia has issued at least 172 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine77
- Electrical System38
- Power Train23
- Unknown Or Other23
- Exterior Lighting12
- Service Brakes12
Service bulletins by component
- Engine and Engine Cooling (62)
- Electrical System (52)
- Equipment (33)
- Engine (23)
- Structure (21)
- Power Train (17)
Read Kia Sportage owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2011 Kia Sportage
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 4 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Scope and Timeliness
RQ17003Opened May 18, 2017Closed Dec 22, 2021
What people reported
Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sportage. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH she rolled over a large puddle of water on the roadway. The contact stated that she hydroplaned and she lost control of the vehicle.”
2011 KIA SPORTAGEAug 20, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11609590
Fire
“The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that his girlfriend parked the vehicle at her driveway residence, and she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire underneath the front.”
2011 KIA SPORTAGEJun 7, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11593090
Fire
“WAS DRIVING IN CRUZE CRONTROL STEPPED ON THE GAS AND VEHICLE DIED. I PUSHED THE START BUTTON NOTHING BUT A WARNING SIGN ON DASH SCREEN THAT WOULD GO BLANK BEFORE I COULD SEE WHAT IT SAID.”
2011 KIA SPORTAGENov 13, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11279767
Injury reportedCrash
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT FRACTURED HIS STERNUM AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.”
2011 KIA SPORTAGEJan 14, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11169940
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM.”
2011 KIA SPORTAGEAug 29, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11123298
Check your Sportage by VIN
Not every 2011 Kia Sportage is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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